It was a satisfying meal.

One serving of garak-guksu1 was not enough, so I continued with a bowl of beef noodle soup and some bibim-guksu2 before finally putting down my chopsticks.

Sure, I was really hungry, but the noodles here were so delicious that I couldn't help but eat more. Yeah, I'll have to come back here often when I have time.

"How was it?" Anastasia asked, her face showing that characteristic sleepy expression.

She looked like someone who had just woken up from a nap, her face dazed.

"It was really good. I could have eaten more if I wasn't already so full."

"Glad to hear it," she replied, her voice still sleepy but somehow proud.

Wait a minute... Did Anastasia make this?

Come to think of it, it might be possible.

This noodle restaurant was owned by a relative of Anastasia's. Like Lucia, Anastasia was an orphan.

In the story, only a few of the main characters of "The Dawn of the Sword" had parents who were both still alive. The closest exception was Arin. Eugene was an orphan, Alice had a stepmother, and Leo was fatherless.

Likewise, Anastasia lost her parents in the great disaster five years ago. The one who took in Anastasia, who became an orphan overnight, was none other than her uncle.

He is the owner of this noodle restaurant. As such, Anastasia used all of her powers to help her uncle, whose health hasn't been good since that catastrophic event five years ago.

Thanks to her ability to create clones, she was able to manage a large staff, and may have even been in the kitchen herself.

In the original story, her uncle had been portrayed as a strict cook who rarely allowed others into his kitchen. But Anastasia was talented at everything. By the time she entered the Academy, she'd probably already earned his approval. I was curious to see, but it would be rude to barge into the kitchen, so I held back.

"All right, I'll get going. See you at the Academy next week."

"Yeah, come back."

"Of course. I'll be back."

"Sure, Luffy."

I mean, my name is Lucia.

Every time she calls me that, it sounds like I have stretchy powers, not super regeneration. I don't stretch, you know.

I wanted to correct her, but I knew it wouldn't make any difference. To get her to remember my name, I'd probably have to follow her around and tell her repeatedly for several days. Or give her a memorable shock.

After paying at the counter, I left the restaurant.

A soft chime sounded as the doorbell rang.

The weather was still bright and sunny.

I looked up at the fluffy white clouds floating high in the sky and smiled.

Where shall I go now?

I've got time, so maybe I'll just walk around for a bit to digest.

◈

Sipping a coffee to go, I leaned back on a bench in the park.

I had walked and walked, but my ankles and soles showed no sign of pain. I stretched my legs and yawned. Hehe, if I'd done this while wearing my school uniform, I would have shown everything under my skirt. But I was wearing pants now, so no accidental exposure here.

I had bought some new clothes from a store I had seen on the way. I had hoped that there would be another unexpected encounter here, but such coincidences usually don't happen twice.

At first, wearing the Academy uniform felt strange.

I'd never worn a skirt before. I had no interest in cross-dressing. When my thighs touched, it felt a little uncomfortable.

But I quickly got used to it. It's not my original body, so the discomfort faded quickly. This is Lucia, right? She looks good in almost anything. If I'd been asked to wear this when I was a guy, I would have bitten my tongue. Just thinking about myself in a skirt makes me sick. That face, in a skirt? Why does this creature exist? She should never have been born. Please die.

But I'm Lucia now, right? What's wrong with wearing girls' clothes? Nothing at all, right? Yes, nothing.

Maybe I thought of it as customizing a character. I wasn't wearing it; I was just dressing up a character. So, whether it was a skirt or a bra, I could adapt quickly.

But when I went to buy women's clothes in a real store, I felt uncomfortable.

Was this okay? Could I buy this? It felt like I was crossing a forbidden line that men weren't supposed to cross. After crossing so many lines, why was I hesitating on this one?

It was funny, but it was a mental block I'd need time to overcome.

Yes... even though I'm in Lucia's body, I still think of myself as a man.

Of course, I've been living as a guy until now. It would be impossible to adjust to being a girl in just one week, right?

So most of the clothes I bought were pants, except for a few pieces. I chose items that tended toward a gender-neutral style: black and red track pants, a simple oversized shirt, blue skinny jeans, a khaki tank top, and loose, monochromatic pants.

Today I wore my casual tracksuit, which was the first thing I bought. I zipped it up to my chest and pulled on the hood. The school uniform was in a shopping bag. It had a bit of a Yankee style, which I liked. And it looked good with my blond hair.

After walking for hours, I realized that walking with human legs doesn't get you very far. Especially since I'd been strolling and enjoying the scenery. It took over an hour to walk a distance that should have taken 10 minutes by car.

Since it would be difficult to get back if I went too far, I made a big loop around the bustling downtown area. It was a rewarding time, my first real glimpse of the outside world.

Wherever it is, people live their lives.

Even in a harsh world invaded by monsters, people still lived.

Shops were open, food stalls sold snacks, children played in playgrounds, and adults went about their business. It was no different than Earth.

But it was surreal to think that this peaceful city was actually like a sandcastle that could be destroyed at any time. Seeing it in person made everything seem like a mirage.

The world could end tomorrow, and it wouldn't be strange. Humanity's territory was shrinking. The monsters were numerous and powerful, while there were fewer and fewer people who could fight.

Mankind was heading for extinction.

"It's okay."

But it's okay.

There's nothing to worry about.

Humans are strong. Stronger than you think.

The protagonist is strong. Eugene is incredibly strong.

Even though he's immature now, one day he'll be a hero at the top of this world.

As long as he's here, there's hope in this world.

So I just have to support Eugene and make sure he doesn't falter.

"Alright, time to go back."

The sun will be setting soon.

There's a shop I noticed earlier, so I'll stop by there before I head back to the dorm.

I toss the empty coffee cup into the trash can by the bench and get up.

Not forgetting to grab my shopping bag, of course. I spent money on it; I can't just leave it behind.

I also bought something for Alice.

I hope it fits.

I wonder if she'll like it?

◈

I closed the last page of the book.

Reading in the dim light hurt my eyes. They looked a little red in the mirror. I took a moment to enjoy the feeling, then healed them with Super Regeneration.

With that, I'd finished all the books Alice had lent me. Yes, it was a wonderful story. Alice, who had read countless books, naturally had good taste. I wouldn't normally go for a romance novel, but this one tugged at my heartstrings. I even cried when the two lovers finally confessed their feelings.

I wish I could have such a romance. But not now. What now? Go out with a guy? Uh... no way. Even if it's the protagonist of this world, no.

I'll give the book back to her tomorrow.

And I'll give her the present, too.

It's nothing too special - just an outfit I thought would suit her. A yellow mini-hat, a yellow long cape, and a yellow jumpsuit. I'm sure she'll look adorable. She's so petite; maybe like a chick? Or maybe a golden retriever.

She's the first friend I've made here, so I hope she likes it.

A cool breeze blew through the open window, rippling the curtains. Outside, night had come. When I looked at the clock, I saw that it was after 3 a.m. I'd started reading as soon as I got back and had been absorbed in it for hours.

I placed the borrowed book and Alice's gift on my desk. After stretching a bit to ease my stiffness, I closed the window and drew the curtains. 3 a.m... just the right time.

I grabbed the zipper of my tracksuit and pulled it down. The tank top underneath was partially visible, and my chest, pressed down by the tracksuit, lifted.

I folded the familiar clothes neatly. I'd gotten used to it by now. Since any clothes would end up soaked in blood and difficult to clean, I always took them all off when I worked out. At first I kept at least my underwear on, but eventually I left everything aside.

But tonight wasn't about self-harm...or training.

I reached for the shopping bag I'd left under the desk. All the other clothes I'd bought were already in the closet. They were still clothes, but not from that first store.

Before going back to the dorm, I'd made a last stop at a store that specialized in 'this kind' of outfit. I'd seen it by chance. The moment I saw it, a thought flashed through my mind.

I thought about it, but quickly put it out of my mind.

I'm not like Lucia, am I?

Totally different from her, yes. So I wouldn't do anything perverted like Lucia, completely naked and only wearing a trench coat, wandering around outside at night.

Yeah, that's something only a masochist would do.

Lucia may be an extreme exhibitionist who gets off on this kind of thing, but I don't have that kind of hobby.

Walking naked through the streets at night with a leash...

Swallow.

Ugh, I am not attracted to that at all.

I can tell that I hate it because my heart is beating so hard that it hurts. It's beating so hard, do I hate it that much?

Right, the problem was that Lucia wasn't wearing any clothes, right? Then if she wears proper clothes, there's no problem, right?

It's a simple solution, right? 

That's why I prepared this. Since regular clothes can be boring, I'll go with something more unique.

"What should I do...?"

I just randomly rummaged through the shopping bag and pulled out the first thing I could get my hands on.

It was a pair of bunny ears.

I put the bunny ears on my head and stood in front of the full-length mirror.

Lucia's beautiful blonde hair was covered with black bunny ears. 

I smiled, my pink eyes widening slightly.

It's nothing special. There's nothing weird about it, and I'm not as perverted as Lucia.

If you look around, there must be quite a few people who would wear something like this...

Something like wearing a costume and going out for a while... 

Hehehe, right?

 

______________________

Author's note

Lucia likes to go for walks.

She likes them during the day, but she likes them even more during the night.